FCBARCELONA.CAT

16.02.2010 18:32

Platini: Messi is the star of stars

www.fcbarcelona.cat

UEFA president Michel Platini has heaped praise on FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi and believes that he was the only choice to win the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year awards.

"Messi is the star of stars in world football," the former French international explained. "When I saw the eleven best players at the FIFA gala in December I knew they were all very good. But Messi was the star of stars and then there was [Cristiano] Ronaldo and kaka and all the rest."

Cruyff legend

Platini then looked back on the incredible influence that legendary Dutchman Johan Cruyff has had on Barça. "FC Barcelona inspired by Cruyff and, at president, all Dutch coaches are inspired by the Barça team of the 1990's," he said. "Louis van gaal, Guus Hiddink, Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard, all of them."